Just bought some kuhlis - quick question

**Jeddi** · 06-12-2010, 08:22 PM

Just bought some regular kuhli loaches.. 3 of them. Going to buy 3 more when they have more in stock. Anyway, is it normal for the underside around the head area to be reddish in color? I noticed this and I'm just a little paranoid. Thanks.

**Jeddi** · 06-12-2010, 08:32 PM

Poor things must be scared to death. They're swimming funny all around the tank...

**Jeddi** · 06-12-2010, 08:55 PM

I must not have acclimated them long enough... I found one floating at the top and I thought it was dead until it starting swimming away when I tried to net it.

**Jeddi** · 06-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Just checked this morning -- I found one lying upside down, head floating and tail on the gravel at a 45 degree angel, he was dead :( I saw another one squirming around, breathing heavily, looked like he was trying to burrow into the gravel but it just wasn't working out for him.The other one was either burrowed or under something, I saw him swimming around after I lifted up the driftwood, but I couldn't see where he came from.

Going to check my ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels. I have a feeling that without proper acclimation + the added bioload, they were already stressed and the toxicity didn't help.

the bag sank somehow after I opened it, so they were only able to get adjusted to the temperature.

**R2 Ranch** · 06-13-2010, 02:08 PM

So sorry to hear about your loss.....

**Jeddi** · 06-13-2010, 02:22 PM

I just tested the water, no ammonia or nitrites. I guess I'll just have to be more careful next time I'm acclimating.

I have 2 now, I'll probably buy 4 more next time when I get my other new fish.

**FishGirl-Seattle** · 06-13-2010, 03:43 PM

Sorry to hear you lost your little guys. I also just recently added kuhlies to my tank and they don't seem to be eating very much. Based on what you experienced and how mine are it seems like like they are a sensitive fish. I hope you have better luck with your new ones!

**Jeddi** · 06-13-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by FishGirl-Seattle

Sorry to hear you lost your little guys. I also just recently added kuhlies to my tank and they don't seem to be eating very much. Based on what you experienced and how mine are it seems like like they are a sensitive fish. I hope you have better luck with your new ones!

Thanks! One of them is probably going to die soon, he's not hiding (which he probably should be) and barely moving, even when I put my hand down near him. He's also breathing rapidly and sometimes twisting onto his side-- He's also the one I found floating on the top of the tank after I first got him. I'm a bit tempted to put him out of his misery but I think I'll just wait and see if he pulls through. I might make the decision of bringing these guys back to the store if I'm stuck with only 1 or 2 of them, rather than just buying a bunch more.

**Tango** · 06-13-2010, 07:11 PM

I'm sorry your kuhlies are not doing very well. I am unsure in what advice to give you. I have two of my own whom I only see when I clean the tank or if I stay up late and turn on a light while their out searching for food. Since your nitrate and ammonia levels were fine, the only thing I can think of that might be a problem is your pH level. Did you check that?

**Lady Hobbs** · 06-13-2010, 07:18 PM

How long since you've done a water change? You should have done a large water change and checked the water before they were even added. Is there de-chlorinator in your water?